A Norwegian Jaguar car enthusiast is set to embark on an epic 1,200 km road trip from Norway to Coventry to take part in this year’s Motofest Coventry event.

Geir Folke Olsen, will make the journey from his home in Lesja, in the Oppland County region of Norway, to Coventry in his 1962 ivory coloured Jaguar E-type – a three day road trip that will culminate in his and the car’s appearance at the festival.

He will run the E-type, with its 3.8-litre six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine, in the classic car demonstration display taking place on the unique city centre sprint circuit created from Coventry’s ring road.

It will be Geir’s second time on the ring road circuit but first time as a driver, having experienced the circuit as a passenger last year in a Jaguar F-type as part of the car manufacturer’s special VIP experience at the event.

For Geir, his love of the Jaguar brand is an enduring one demonstrated through the impressive seven strong collection of classic Jaguar cars he has housed in a self-built garage at his home.

The cars in the garage include the E-type, an XJR, Daimler Double 6, one of only 1200 ever made, and an XJS, while in Geir’s home two floors are dedicated to classic Jaguar memorabilia including posters, number plates, photos and racing suits.

Geir has spent the last 30 or so years making regular visits to Coventry, a city he describes as ‘beautiful and filled with amazing history” and home of course to his favourite car manufacturer.

Geir, 68, said: “I have been coming to Coventry on-and-off for almost 30 years and I am really looking forward to my next visit to Motofest Coventry, it should be quite a trip.

“I will be accompanied by my co-driver and we are both very excited to have the chance to go around the circuit in the E-type and show the car to all the people at the event.

“I have driven around the Castle Coombe, Rally of Monte Carlo and Goodwood circuits, so it will be good to add Motofest Coventry to my list of completed circuits.

“Coventry is a beautiful, city full of amazing history including its automotive heritage and it will be fantastic to take part in its own motoring festival.”

James Noble, Motofest Coventry Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to have Geir and his beautiful E-type at Motofest Coventry.

“It’s an incredible commitment to undertake a 1,200 km road trip to join us and it demonstrates the international appeal that the festival now has with everyone.

“As the festival has expanded so has the range of visitors we attract as people from across the UK and beyond gather every year for what is now the largest free urban motorsport festival in the UK.”

Motofest Coventry is a two-day festival dedicated to the city’s motoring heritage, which this year takes place on Saturday 2 June and Sunday 3 June.

There will be a range of automotive activities taking place at Motofest Coventry 2018 including for the first in 30 years on UK public roads competitive motorsports in the form of time trialling which will take place alongside the pop-up and demonstration events, static displays and automotive fringe events.